New York, NY

Studio Museum in Harlem
DESCRIPTION: art museum

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Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Building & Monument
DESCRIPTION: Tallest building and a stunning monument in Harlem honors US Congressman and Baptist minister Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (1908-1972); Adam and his wife, Hazel Scott, confronted and won many legal battles that ended real estate, hotel and performing arts venue segregation around the nation; even the McCarthy witch hunts of the 1950s failed to overshadow his achievements; more than an office building, a 2nd floor art gallery hosts the International Agency for Minority Artist Affairs’ annual Harlem Week Black Film Festival; the 12-foot bronze sculpture called Higher Ground was dedicated in 2005 by Branly Cadet -- it was inspired by a quote from the late leader, “Press forward at all times” 

DAYS & HOURS: gallery Mon-Fri 9a-4p

ADDRESS: 163 West Martin Luther King Blvd  MAP

TRANSIT: near 2, 3, A, B, C & D subway lines

PHONE: 212-749-5298

WEBSITE: link

 

Apollo Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Built 1914, this world famous theater even made Richard Pryor nervous; considered the Grand Daddy of the Chitlin’ Circuit for African American performing artists; with the aid of Inner City Broadcasting, this venue returned to the forefront of live and televised entertainment in the 1980s; Wednesday is “Amateur Night”; the artistic steel gates nearby are painted by Franco

DAYS & HOURS: shows usually start at 7:30p

ADDRESS: 253 West Martin Luther King Blvd  MAP

TRANSIT: near 2, 3, A, B, C & D subway lines

PHONE: Box Office 212-531-5305 & 531-5304

WEBSITE: http://www.apollotheater.com

Dance Theatre of Harlem
DESCRIPTION: Arthur Mitchell founded and remains artistic director of one of the world’s premiere ballet companies housed in this multi-million dollar structure; Pre-professional ballet classes available for ages 7 -17 as well as Professional ballet classes; open house is the second Sunday of each month

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri daytime

ADDRESS: 466 West 152nd Street  MAP

TRANSIT: near C subway line

PHONE: 212-690-2800

WEBSITE: http://www.dancetheatreofharlem.com

Holcombe Rucker Basketball Court
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1947 by Holcombe Rucker (1926-1965) and home to the Rucker Basketball Tournament; in the 1960s, Rucker transformed his local league into a basketball institution that attracted Wilt Chamberlin, Lew Alcindor, Julius Erving and now NBA stars like Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady; in 1993, the park was renovated with better lighting, bleachers and resurfacing of the basketball court

DAYS & HOURS: daily, court is lit at night

ADDRESS: 2930 Frederick douglass Blvd  MAP

TRANSIT: near B & D subway lines

PHONE: 212-862-2323

WEBSITE: http://www.harlemlive.org/community/parks/ruckerpark

Harlem School of the Arts
DESCRIPTION: In 1965, soprano Dorothy Maynor taught piano in the basement of a community church; since then it has grown into a vibrant award winning school of more than 1,000 students who hone their performing arts skills; the in-house theater seats 200; many Broadway actors and dancers are alumni

DAYS & HOURS: classes Mon-Fri 2:30p–8p, Sat 9a–8p

ADDRESS: 645 St. Nicholas Ave  MAP

TRANSIT: near A, B, C & D subway lines

PHONE: 212-926-4100

WEBSITE: http://www.harlemschoolofthearts.org

 

Frank Silvera Writer’s Workshop
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1973 by Morgan Freeman in honor of Frank Silvera, a nurturer of many African American writers; check the schedule for seminars on playwriting, screen writing and play critiques; many new works which tour nationally are developed here; moved to the same building at Harlem School for the Arts

DAYS & HOURS: office visit by appt

ADDRESS: 645 St. Nicholas Ave  MAP

TRANSIT: near A, B, C & D subway lines

PHONE: 212-281-8832

WEBSITE: http://www.fsww.org

Countee Cullen Library
DESCRIPTION: Honors one of the most famous poets of the Harlem Renaissance, Countee Cullen (1903-1946); built at the former site of Madame C.J. Walker’s home, the hair care products maker and the 1st Black millionaire; library contains extensive collection of Africana children’s books

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 10a-8p, Fri-Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p

ADDRESS: 104 West 136th Street  MAP

TRANSIT: near 2 & 3 subway lines

PHONE: 212-491-2070

WEBSITE: http://www.nypl.org/branch/man/htr.html

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
DESCRIPTION: Arturo Schomburg (1874-1938) founded the largest library of African American and African Caribbean culture and history; notable collections of Harlem Renaissance artists can be seen at every turn within the center; similar to Carter G Woodson, Schomburg was motivated to overcome the lack of information about Black history and culture; includes a small gift shop

DAYS & HOURS: Research Dept Mon-Wed 12a-8p; Thu-Sat 10a-6p

ADDRESS: 515 Malcolm X Blvd  MAP

TRANSIT: near 2 & 3 subway lines

PHONE: 212-491-2200

WEBSITE: http://www.nypl.org/research/sc

Magic Johnson Theatres
DESCRIPTION: Following in the best tradition of Oscar Micheaux, Magic Johnson Theatre provides a 9-screen venue of great appeal to Harlem residents; under Magic Johnson’s leadership as the anchor tenant of Harlem USA, the retail complex includes several big name retailers you would expect to see in Midtown; since the merger between Sony-Loews and Cineplex Odeon, contact information is restricted to a ticket purchase phone number

DAYS & HOURS: daily after 11:30a

ADDRESS: 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd  MAP

TRANSIT: near A, B, C & D subway lines

PHONE: 800-326-3264

WEBSITE: tickets

National Black Theater
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1968 by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer (1937-2008); the 60,000 sq. foot cultural institution features live theatre with seating for 140, communication arts, and entrepreneurial arts; National Black Theater plays have won 35 AUDELCO awards for excellence, including its seminal work, The Legacy

DAYS & HOURS: by appt

ADDRESS: 2033 Fifth Ave  MAP

TRANSIT: near 2 & 3 subway lines and Danbury, Harlem, Hudson, New Canaan and New Haven commuter lines

PHONE: 212-722-3800

WEBSITE: http://www.nationalblacktheatre.org

Duke Ellington Statue
DESCRIPTION: Dedicated in 1994 to Edward K. “Duke” Ellington (1899-1974), this 20 foot statue caused a stir due to its sexist depiction of women under the Duke’s feet; though well intentioned by Bobby Short who helped raise funds for the statue by artist Robert Graham

ADDRESS: Fifth Ave and 110th Street in Frawley Circle  MAP

TRANSIT: near 2 & 3 subway lines

WEBSITE:  http://www.dukeellington.com

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
DESCRIPTION: The roots of this fabled dance troupe and school began with a 1958 seminal performance by Alvin Ailey (1931-1989); today the esteemed Judith Jamison continues as artistic director for a troupe that travels the world many times over from January-November; you can only catch them performing in New York during December; a fount of creative expression and consistent with Ailey’s vision, the dance troupe has performed more than 200 works by over 70 choreographers; the school more than 100 ballet and modern jazz classes a week

DAYS & HOURS: school tours on Monday 1:30p, Friday Noon and by reservation

ADDRESS: 405 West 55th Street  MAP

TRANSIT: near 1, A, B, C & D subway lines

PHONE: tours 212-405-9020

WEBSITE: http://www.alvinailey.org

Essence Communications
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1969, Essence is a monthly magazine of enlightenment and empowerment for African American women; features Editor-in-Chief Susan Taylor

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri by appt

ADDRESS: Time Warner Center at 10 Columbus Circle  MAP

TRANSIT: at 1, A, B, C & D subway lines

PHONE: n.a.

WEBSITE: http://www.essence.com

 

Bad Boy Entertainment
DESCRIPTION: Founded by Sean Combs in 1993, the company reached $300 million annual revenue in 2005 before selling to Time-Warner

DAYS & HOURS:

ADDRESS: 1710 Broadway  MAP

TRANSIT: near B, D & E subway lines

PHONE: n.a.

WEBSITE: http://www.badboyonline.com

Caribbean Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1976, its an important center for sharing art, entertainment and religious philosophies among diverse interests in the African Diaspora of the Caribbean; gift shop has handmade jewelry, crafts, books from the African Diaspora; call for special events/exhibit schedule; also features bead working, informative lectures and dance parties

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a-6p

ADDRESS: 408 West 58th Street  MAP

TRANSIT: near 1, A, B, C & D subway lines

PHONE: 212-307-7420

WEBSITE: http://www.cccadi.org

Black Filmmakers Foundation
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1978, this non-profit agency sponsors the annual American Black Film Festival; it is also the largest distributor of independent black films and videos in America

DAYS & HOURS: a research visit can be scheduled

ADDRESS: 670 Broadway, Suite 304  MAP

TRANSIT: near 6 subway lines

PHONE: 212-253-1690

WEBSITE: http://www.dvrepublic.org

Black Enterprise
DESCRIPTION: Founded by Earl G. Graves in 1970, this monthly magazine is the power tool for African American business readers; its annual Black Enterprise 100s edition is the yardstick that measures results of black business in America

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri by appt

ADDRESS: 130 Fifth Ave  MAP

TRANSIT: near R & W subway lines

PHONE: 212-242-8000

WEBSITE: http://www.blackenterprise.com